Contributed by: yummygrassyummygrass(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on April 27th 2010When someone brings up MGMT, it might have to do with one of those uber-huge singles they put out years ago. Now, the "Kids" days are over, as MGMT finds a more evolved, psychedelic sound in Congratulations.
What makes this album unique is the fact that there are no clear singles on this album. ".

When someone brings up MGMT, it might have to do with one of those uber-huge singles they put out years ago. Now, the "Kids" days are over, as MGMT finds a more evolved, psychedelic sound in Congratulations.

What makes this album unique is the fact that there are no clear singles on this album. "Flash Delirium" might be a "halfway single," but radio DJs might be leery to play this because of how fast and uncontrollable it gets; we can be sure there won't be a movie trailer using that tune. Leave it to MGMT to lead you slowly and quickly escalate into something that seems too fast to even be played.

The synthpop sound is a hot choice for music makers nowadays, with MGMT mastering it back in 2007; Congratulations itself isn't just your generic poppy mainstream album (not that Oracular Spectacular was). This new and improved album proves that these hipster wise-guys can form something way more than anything that is going to be coming out any time in the future. It completely breaks from the major label standards, combining numerous genres. From the surf-rock rhythms in "It's Working" to the gentle, humming tune of the 12-minute psych-ballad "Siberian Breaks" which ends with a "synth underwater" beat, it has it all. Thank you alone to "Brian Eno" for literally serving as the best legit punk rock song of 2010. This unique punk jam is obviously an influence of the '70s-'80s era of punk. Ending perfectly, the title track "Congratulations" puts the listeners into a trance that makes you wanting to restart the album and begin the whole nine-track work of art over again.

This album is a wild ride and reading about it won't give anyone the right perspective for the listener unless they listen to it themselves. Those who are skeptical of getting such an "indie hipster record" need to strive away from that biased state of mind. MGMT has in fact masted the art of new age psychedelic rock music that has evolved into an uncontrollable beast.

This is one of my favorite albums. I'm not sure why it's gotten so much hate. Yeah, it sounds a hell of a lot different from their days of "Kids," "Time to Pretend," and "Electric Feel." This album feels a lot more MGMT-ish.

"This new and improved album proves that these hipster wise-guys can form something way more than anything that is going to be coming out any time in the future."

I'm sorry, but does this sentence even MEAN anything?

Oracular Spectacular was a fun record, but this thing bored me to tears. The poppy hooks are what made that record entertaining, and while I can't hold it against them for wanting to make a record that stands as something that can't be picked apart thanks to singles...I think this thing totally ignores the good things they had going for themselves.

Aside from the "synthpop" guitar tone on a few of the hits from Oracular Spectacular, that album is actually fairly dark and complex. I guess everyone's hating because they're not punk and are very famous, but this band is pretty cool overall and I'm looking forward to checking out this album. Portugal the Man even covered one of the tracks from Oracular the last time I saw them.

im surprised at this album. Their earliest stuff is pure ass, some of the worst shit out there. My roommate was listening to a good song for once and when i asked him who it was i was surprised to find out it was the new MGMT so I checked it out

I thought this album was downright decent, like a 5 or 6/10. I felt the same way about the first one. What I really don't get, though, is the MGMT superfans who act as if this is some radical new direction for the band. To me it just sounds like a rehash of the first album.

Album is incredibly boring other than one tune. Extra half a star for awesome cover art (anyone remember Bubsy the bobcat?) and I've heard they have lotto-card esque scratch-off shit on the vinyl, which is pretty neat.